In the following posts, I am setting out details of some of the main Royal events of 2012. What I have set out is based on extracts from articles I have written and in which I retain first British serial rights [copyright.] but which I am reproducing here in case what I have said is of interest to members of TRF.
The events I have mentioned are in no way intended to be an exhaustive calendar of BRF events, but instead are intended to be a guide for people who may wish to try to see something of the BRF.
It is particularly worth stressing that since 2012 is Diamond Jubilee Year, the Queen and Prince Philip are expected to be appearing up and down the whole of the country during the first half of the year, so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to see something of their monarch. Obviously the official royal family website and local newspapers will give details of these engagements, My list therefore concentrates on the more regular ‘hardy perennials’.
Some of the events I have mentioned below have their basis in the so-called London [summer] Season; others are more general events in which the BRF are (usually) regular participants.
As I compiled this list, one interesting thought that struck me is how the list has changed over the years. The ending of Court Presentations obviously had an impact on the shape of the royal year, and indeed this topic deserves a thread all on its own. Other events ‘come and go’ for a variety of reasons. Events such as the Royal Caledonian Ball [held annually in May at the Grosvenor House Hotel] used to be enormously important for ‘royal watchers’ in the past; Princess Margaret used to be a regular Royal guest, and Princess Anne attended before her marriage. Nowadays, the RCB still continues as a very popular London event but does not enjoy a high royal profile.
Some once-popular events no longer take place. The Grosvenor House Art and Antiques Fair, held at the Hotel of that name, was a popular London event with a royal connection that was held around the time of Royal Ascot Week. Queen Mary was the original patron of the fair; the Queen Mother then took her place, often lending treasures of her own for the loan exhibition. After her death, Princess Alexandra took her place. And then, in 2009, the Grosvenor House Hotel suddenly announced that the fair was being discontinued. This was a sad time for those of us who had enjoyed viewing priceless antiques and works of art, many with interesting royal and princely provenances from around the world, in the elegant surroundings of the Great Room of the Grosvenor House Hotel.
Not all events are ‘formal ones’. One of the completely informal events that eventually grew into a tradition but sadly is no longer with us for obvious reasons was the celebration of the Birthday of the late Queen Mother. Up until 2001, on August 4, many ‘royal watchers’ used to turn up at Clarence House to wish Her Majesty a happy birthday. The day was invariably a sunny one and there was usual music from one of the bands of the Household Division, followed by the appearance of the Queen Mother. In addition, there was also the bonus of a very good turn-out of other royals, including the Queen and Prince of Wales and other royal grandchildren and latterly royal great-grandchildren.
In my very humble opinion, one of the greatest strengths of the British Royal Family is how its members are so easily visible to members of the public. I have taken American friends to the Royal Windsor Horse Show, only for them to gasp with amazement when the Queen has walked past a couple of feet away looking at the shops. Apparently security concerns would have prevented the possibility of such a close encounter with the President of the United States.
Horseracing has also provided members of the public with an opportunity to come across members of the royal family in an informal setting – again, American friends whom I took to the Derby some years ago were amazed when the Queen Mother suddenly strolled by with a kind word to all. I have to say that one of the many downsides of the recent remodelling of Ascot Racecourse was the way that the BRF are no longer able to mingle with visitors, ironic as one of the intentions of the remodelling was to make Ascot ‘more democratic’. Before the barriers appeared, members of the BRF used to mix with race goers in the Paddock, not just the Royal Enclosure. White lines painted on the routes to and from the paddock [known as ‘tramlines’] marked the expected path of the royals when they left the Royal Box in order to inspect the runners and riders. Although nothing was ever written down, people knew to step smartly aside from the ‘tramlines’ if and when members of the BRF approached. The Queen was always surrounded by Household Staff and protection offices, but the latter were always in formal morning dress and therefore ‘blended in’ and looked like ordinary race goers. The Duchess of Kent used to walk about with minimal security, greeting everyone with ‘how good to see you’. Princess Anne, often in the company of Andrew Parker Bowles did not even bother to keep to the tramlines and used to take her own route to the paddock. Princess Diana was another ‘good mingler’, once asking me [although I did not know her!!] if I had a tip for the next race and then producing her race card [programme] for me to pronounce upon! Fortunately my suggestion [the favourite] turned out to be correct. [Much to my surprise!] How sad that since the rebuilding of Ascot Racecourse, the Royal Family move to and from the Paddock behind barriers, although, refreshingly, Princess Eugenie used the ‘ordinary’ public routes last year.
Here then are my suggestions for some serious royal spotting etc in 2012. Enjoy!
Jan 1 Royal Ascot Royal Enclosure List opens for new applications.
Jan 6 to Jan 15 London International Boat Show. Royal participation is never 100 per cent certain but in the past Prince Phillip and Princess Anne have visited and so there is always an outside chance of a ‘drop in’ royal visit.
Early February 2012 Queen returns to Buckingham Palace following the end of her Winter break at Sandringham. According to some seasoned royal watchers, Her Majesty also starts contemplating her house party for Royal Ascot during this month.
March 9 Grand Military Gold Cup Day at Sandown Park. Important National Hunt [horse racing over the jumps] event; very strong military connection, and a huge favourite date of the late Queen Mother. Chance of a Royal presence as it is Jubilee year. Andrew Parker Bowles also usually turns up.
March 13 to 16 National Hunt Festival, Cheltenham. [horse racing ‘over the jumps’] Always good for a chance of ‘royal-spotting’: the Queen Mother used to attend regularly, along with her house party. The Queen has attended in the past, but nowadays, a ‘royal presence’ is provided by Zara Phillips, who often attends on at least on one day.
March 16 to April 1 The Ideal Home Show, London. In the past, this exhibition was often graced with a royal visit. Royal visits then tailed off completely until in 2011, Prince Charles attended and so there is always an outside chance of a ‘drop in’ royal visit.
March 31 Royal Enclosure List for new applicants closes.
The events I have mentioned are in no way intended to be an exhaustive calendar of BRF events, but instead are intended to be a guide for people who may wish to try to see something of the BRF.
It is particularly worth stressing that since 2012 is Diamond Jubilee Year, the Queen and Prince Philip are expected to be appearing up and down the whole of the country during the first half of the year, so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to see something of their monarch. Obviously the official royal family website and local newspapers will give details of these engagements, My list therefore concentrates on the more regular ‘hardy perennials’.
Some of the events I have mentioned below have their basis in the so-called London [summer] Season; others are more general events in which the BRF are (usually) regular participants.
As I compiled this list, one interesting thought that struck me is how the list has changed over the years. The ending of Court Presentations obviously had an impact on the shape of the royal year, and indeed this topic deserves a thread all on its own. Other events ‘come and go’ for a variety of reasons. Events such as the Royal Caledonian Ball [held annually in May at the Grosvenor House Hotel] used to be enormously important for ‘royal watchers’ in the past; Princess Margaret used to be a regular Royal guest, and Princess Anne attended before her marriage. Nowadays, the RCB still continues as a very popular London event but does not enjoy a high royal profile.
Some once-popular events no longer take place. The Grosvenor House Art and Antiques Fair, held at the Hotel of that name, was a popular London event with a royal connection that was held around the time of Royal Ascot Week. Queen Mary was the original patron of the fair; the Queen Mother then took her place, often lending treasures of her own for the loan exhibition. After her death, Princess Alexandra took her place. And then, in 2009, the Grosvenor House Hotel suddenly announced that the fair was being discontinued. This was a sad time for those of us who had enjoyed viewing priceless antiques and works of art, many with interesting royal and princely provenances from around the world, in the elegant surroundings of the Great Room of the Grosvenor House Hotel.
Not all events are ‘formal ones’. One of the completely informal events that eventually grew into a tradition but sadly is no longer with us for obvious reasons was the celebration of the Birthday of the late Queen Mother. Up until 2001, on August 4, many ‘royal watchers’ used to turn up at Clarence House to wish Her Majesty a happy birthday. The day was invariably a sunny one and there was usual music from one of the bands of the Household Division, followed by the appearance of the Queen Mother. In addition, there was also the bonus of a very good turn-out of other royals, including the Queen and Prince of Wales and other royal grandchildren and latterly royal great-grandchildren.
In my very humble opinion, one of the greatest strengths of the British Royal Family is how its members are so easily visible to members of the public. I have taken American friends to the Royal Windsor Horse Show, only for them to gasp with amazement when the Queen has walked past a couple of feet away looking at the shops. Apparently security concerns would have prevented the possibility of such a close encounter with the President of the United States.
Horseracing has also provided members of the public with an opportunity to come across members of the royal family in an informal setting – again, American friends whom I took to the Derby some years ago were amazed when the Queen Mother suddenly strolled by with a kind word to all. I have to say that one of the many downsides of the recent remodelling of Ascot Racecourse was the way that the BRF are no longer able to mingle with visitors, ironic as one of the intentions of the remodelling was to make Ascot ‘more democratic’. Before the barriers appeared, members of the BRF used to mix with race goers in the Paddock, not just the Royal Enclosure. White lines painted on the routes to and from the paddock [known as ‘tramlines’] marked the expected path of the royals when they left the Royal Box in order to inspect the runners and riders. Although nothing was ever written down, people knew to step smartly aside from the ‘tramlines’ if and when members of the BRF approached. The Queen was always surrounded by Household Staff and protection offices, but the latter were always in formal morning dress and therefore ‘blended in’ and looked like ordinary race goers. The Duchess of Kent used to walk about with minimal security, greeting everyone with ‘how good to see you’. Princess Anne, often in the company of Andrew Parker Bowles did not even bother to keep to the tramlines and used to take her own route to the paddock. Princess Diana was another ‘good mingler’, once asking me [although I did not know her!!] if I had a tip for the next race and then producing her race card [programme] for me to pronounce upon! Fortunately my suggestion [the favourite] turned out to be correct. [Much to my surprise!] How sad that since the rebuilding of Ascot Racecourse, the Royal Family move to and from the Paddock behind barriers, although, refreshingly, Princess Eugenie used the ‘ordinary’ public routes last year.
Here then are my suggestions for some serious royal spotting etc in 2012. Enjoy!
Jan 1 Royal Ascot Royal Enclosure List opens for new applications.
Jan 6 to Jan 15 London International Boat Show. Royal participation is never 100 per cent certain but in the past Prince Phillip and Princess Anne have visited and so there is always an outside chance of a ‘drop in’ royal visit.
Early February 2012 Queen returns to Buckingham Palace following the end of her Winter break at Sandringham. According to some seasoned royal watchers, Her Majesty also starts contemplating her house party for Royal Ascot during this month.
March 9 Grand Military Gold Cup Day at Sandown Park. Important National Hunt [horse racing over the jumps] event; very strong military connection, and a huge favourite date of the late Queen Mother. Chance of a Royal presence as it is Jubilee year. Andrew Parker Bowles also usually turns up.
March 13 to 16 National Hunt Festival, Cheltenham. [horse racing ‘over the jumps’] Always good for a chance of ‘royal-spotting’: the Queen Mother used to attend regularly, along with her house party. The Queen has attended in the past, but nowadays, a ‘royal presence’ is provided by Zara Phillips, who often attends on at least on one day.
March 16 to April 1 The Ideal Home Show, London. In the past, this exhibition was often graced with a royal visit. Royal visits then tailed off completely until in 2011, Prince Charles attended and so there is always an outside chance of a ‘drop in’ royal visit.
March 31 Royal Enclosure List for new applicants closes.
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